Multiple-switch controller.



P. H. ZIMMER.

MULTIPLE SWITCH CONTROLLER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.10,1913.

1,127,573. Patented Feb. 9, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

W a! Q "'HE NORRIS PETERS co PHOTO-LITHO WASHINGTON, D. c.

P. H. ZIMMER.

MULTIPLE SWITCH CONTROLLER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.10, 1918 1,127,573. Patented Feb. 9, 1915 3SHEETS-SHEET 2.

HE NORRIS PETERS c0. PHOTC'LITHOH WASHING TON, D C.

P. H. ZIMMER.

MULTIPLE SWITCH CONTROLLER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 10, 1913.

1,127,573. Patented Feb. 9, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

2M5. aw. 6.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PAUL H. ZIMMER, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR. TO THE CUTLER-HAMMERMFG. CO., OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN.

MULTIPLE-SWITCH CONTROLLER.

Application filed March 10, 1913.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

lie it known that I PAUL H. ZIMMER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State ofWisconsin, have invented new and useful Improvements in Multiple-SwitchControllers, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and eXactdescription, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, forming apart of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in multiple switch controllers. Itis particularly applicable to controllers for electric motors but is notlimited thereto.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a simple and eflicientmultiple switch controller in which the switches are closedprogressively by successive operations of a common actuating memberthrough the same range of movement.

A further object of my invention is to provide a step-by-step operatedmultiple switch controller with means for temporarily arresting theprogressive operation thereof while abnormal electrical conditionsprevail.

Various other objects and advantages of my invention will hereinafterappear.

In order to fully and clearly disclose the nature and advantages of myinvention I shall describe the embodiment thereof illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that thespecific illustration of my invention found in the accompanying drawingsis not to be considered as unnecessarily limiting the scope of theappended claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevati on of the controller; Fig.2 is a perspective view showing the operative connections between theseveral switches and their operating member and the means for holdingthe switches closed; Fig. '3 is a side elevation of the extreme lefthand switch of Fig. 1 and its retaining magnet; Fig. 4 is a sideelevation of the next adjacent switch; F ig. 5 is a side elevation ofthe extreme right hand switch; Fig. 6 is a partial end elevation of thecontroller looking to the left; and Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic viewshowing one form of circuit connections for the controller.

As best illustrated in Fig. 1 the controller embodies a plurality ofswitches 1, 2, 3 and 4 operated progressively in a manner hereinafterdescribed by successive reciproca- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 9, 1915.

Serial No. 753,312.

tions of the plunger of a solenoid 5. The solenoid 5 is provided with acontrol switch (3 operated by its plunger to intermittently energize andde'energize the same to produce successive reciprocations of itsplunger. A second control switch 7, operated by the switch 4, isprovided to disconnect the solenoid from circuit after all of theswitches 1, 2, 3 and 4 have been closed. A retaining magnet 8,preferably of the low voltage type, is provided for retaining the switch1 in closed position, while mechanical means, hereinafter described, areprovided for retaining the remaining switches in closed position. Theswitches 2, 3 and 4 are released automatically upon release of theswitch 1.

Where the device is employed for controlling electric motors, the sameis preferably provided with a throttling switch 9 responsive to abnormalelectrical conditions in the motor circuit to arrest the operation ofthe switches 1, 2, 3 and 4 preferably through control of the solenoid 5.

The several devices above described are shown as mounted upon aninsulating panel 10 which also carries a double-pole knife switch 11 andprotective fuses 12. The switch 11 is suitable for use as a line switch.

The switches 1, 2, 3 and 4 are all of the same general construction, andaccordingly, a detailed description of one will sufiice for all. As bestillustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 each switch comprises a contact finger 13adapted to engage a cooperating stationary contact 14. The contactfinger 13 is carried by a rocking supporting member 15, the contactfinger having a trunnion bearing 16 at its lower end, and being held inplace and biased against a stop 17 on the member 15 by a tension device18. The arrangement is such that after the finger 13 engages itsstationary contact the tension device 18 will yield to a furthermovement of the supporting member 15 at the same time increasing thepressure on the finger to insure good electrical contact. The severalswitches are biased to open position by helical springs 19 interposedbetween the base 10 and their respective supporting members 15.

Each of the switch members 15 is pro vided on one side with a segmentaltail piece 20 having on its periphery a tooth or shoulder 21 to beengaged by the operating means. as hereinafter described. Also, as bestillustrated in Fig. 2, the tail piece of each switch, except switch 1,carries a laterally extending pin 22, for a purpose hereinafter setforth. On its opposite side each of the members 15 of switches 1, 2 and3 is provided with an outwardly projecting arm or lug Still further,each of the mem bers 1.5 is provided 011 one side with a laterallyextending lug on its opposite side with a shoulder to cooperate with thelug 2% 011 another of said switches.

The members 15 of the several switches are loosely mounted upon a commonshaft or spindle 26, as best illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. The shaft orspindle 26 constitutes both the supporting and operating member of theswitches. In addition to the switches, it carries four downwardlyprojecting arms 27, 28, 29 and 30, all of the same type as the arm 27shown in Fig. 3. Each arm has a head 31 surrounding the spindle or shaft26 and fixed thereto by suitable means, such as a pin 32. The arms 27,28, 29 and 30 are arranged to the left of their respective switchesadjacent to the segmental tail pieces thereof. Each arm carries apivoted pawl 33, biased against the periphery of the tail piece of itscorresponding switch by a spring 34. These pawls are provided to engagethe teeth or shoulders 21 on the tail pieces of their respectiveswitches and when in engagement therewith establish an operativecrnnection between their respective switches and the shaft or spindle26. In normal position of the switches, as illustrated in Fig. 2, thepawl 33 of the switch 1 is the only one which looks with the tail pieceof its respective switch. The remaining pawls are all out of engagementwith their respective switches and the shoulders or teeth on the tailpieces of their respective switches lie to the rear of the extremitiesof the pawls. The disengagement of the pawls of the switches 2, 3 and 4is accomplished by providing said pawls with projections 35 adapted,when the parts are in normal position, to abut against plates 36 on thebase 1 to rock said pawls against the action of their springs 34: clearof the switches, as best illustrated in Fig. 4.

With the parts as illustrated in Fig. 2 it will be obvious that if theshaft 26 is rotated in a clockwise direction it will move the switch 1therewith through the medium of the arm 27, pawl 23 and tail piece 20 ofsaid switch. The remaining switches, however, being disengaged fromtheir respective pawls,-will receive no operation from the shaft 26. Theswitch 1 is accordingly closed by itself.

The function of the interlocking lugs 24 and shoulders 25 will now beapparent. Their function is to set each switch, upon operation of itspreceding switch, in a position to be engaged by its respective pawlupon the next operation of the shaft 26, it

being understood that the shaft is restored to its initial rotaryposition after operation of each switch. For example, the switch 1 inclosing causes its shoulder 25 to abut against the lug 24 of the switch2, moving the latter switch a slight distance toward closed position, itbeing understood that the lugs and shoulders are normally so spaced asto insure against closure of one switch by another. The switch havingnow been advanced to the proper degree, it will be ohvious that as theshaft 26 is rotated backwardly the pawl of switch 2 will pass the toothon the tail piece of said switch and thereby be free to engage saidtooth and close said switch 2 upon the next clockwise operation of theshaft. The remaining switches are set to be engaged by their respectivepawls on subsequent operations of the shaft in a manner similar to thatust described. This provides a very simple but eflicient means forprocuring successive operation of the switches 1, 2, 3 and 4- uponsuccessive oscillations of the shaft The retention of the switches intheir closed position is provided for by the. following means: Theswitch 1, as heretofore set forth, is retained in closed position by themagnet 8. To this end it is preferably provided with an arm 37 carryinga laterally projecting pin 38 adapted to be engaged by a hooked armature39 of the mag net 8. The remaining switches are mechanically locked inclosed position by engagement of latching levers 40 with their pins 22.The latching levers 410 are preferably of the same type as the oneclearly shown in Figs. 2 and 1. Each is fulcrumed to a bracket 41suitably mounted on the base 10 and provided with a spring 42 forautomatically moving the same to a position under its cooperating pin 22upon closure of its corresponding switch. To insure against accidentaldisengagement of the latching levers with their respective pins, saidlevers are preferably provided with slight depressions 43 in theirengaging face. Automatic locking of the switches is thus provided.

The switches are all released upon release of the switch 1. This isaccomplished by the engagement of the arms 23 of the several switcheswith the latching levers of their next adjacent switches. For example,as will be apparent from Fig. 2, when the switch 1 opens the arm 23thereof engages the end of the latching lever of switch 2, forcing saidlever outwardly from beneath the pin 22. This releases switch 2, whichthereupon operates the latching lever of switch 3 in a similar mannerand so on. Thus the switches open in the same progressive order as thatin which they closed.

The operation of the switches by the solenoid 5 is obtained byconnecting the plunger of said solenoid to the shaft 26. This may bereadily accomplished by fixing to the Shaft 26 an arm as illustrated inFigs. 1 and 6, and connecting the free end of said arm to the solenoidplunger by means of a link 46. The connection is preferably so made thatthe shaft is operated in a direction to close the switches uponenergization of the solenoid and moved in a reverse direction upondeenergization of said solenoid. if desired, a weight 47 may be attachedto the solenoid plunger to assist in the reverse operation of the shaft26.

The switch 6 for intermittently energizing and deenergizing the solenoid5 may be of any preferred type. In practice, however, I prefer toconstruct the same as illustrated. This construction consists of amovable contact 49 having knife edge bearings on the under side of twoposts 50 projecting from the base 10. The contact is held in itsbearings by a spring connection 51 between said contact and a bracket 52fixed to a lateral extension 53 on the arm This spring connection 51also performs another function, namely, the biasing of said contact inopposite directions as the extremity of the bracket 52 is moved toopposite sides of the pivot of said contact by the operation of the arm45. A latch 54 is provided for holding contact 19 in closed positionuntil tripped by a lug 55 on the bracket 52. As is obvious the functionof this latch is to hold the contact 49 in closed position untilsuflicient energy is stored in said spring connection to insure a snapmovement to said contact member when released. This further provides forthe retention of the switch 6 in closed position until the solenoidplunger reaches the extreme limit of its upward movement, therebyproviding for full strokes of the solenoid plunger in operating theswitches. The switch 7 may also be of any preferred type. Asillustrated, it comprises an arm pivoted to a bracket 56 (Fig.

The switch 7 is biased to closed position by a spring 57 interposedbetween the base 10 and an extension 58 on the lower end of said arm.The extension 58 projects into the path of a shoulder on the switch 4whereby said switch 4 in closing opens said switch 7.

The throttling device 9 may, in practice, assume various differentforms. As shown in Figs. 1 and 6, it comprises a. contact lever 5!),having a trunnion bearing upon an upright support (30 carried by abracket 61 suitably secured to the base 10. The contact arm is biasedtoward its supporting contact (32 by an adjustable tension device (33connected between the outer end of said contact and the bracket 61. Thebracket (31 also carries a magnet 64, preferably a series magnet.adapted upon energization to a predetermined degree to withdraw thecontacts 59 from engagement with the contact 62.

Referring now to Fig. 7, the device above described is diagrammaticallyillustrated as controlling an electric motor 67 having an armature A anda shunt field winding F. The switches 1, 2, 3 and l are arranged torespectively complete the motor circuit and short-circuit startingresistances R, R and R The switch 9 is shown as controlling theoperating solenoid 5 through the medium of a resistance R said switchupon response inserting said resistance in circuit with said solenoid. Acontrol switch 68 is provided for controlling the operation of thedevice. Upon closure of the control switch 68 a circuit is establishedfrom the supply line L through said switch by conductor 69 through theswitches 7 and 6 in series, by conductor 70 through the switch 9, byconductor 71 through the solenoid 5, by conductors 72 and 73 throughknife switch 11 and one of the fuses 12 to line L. The solenoid isthereby energized and responds to rock the shaft 26 to actuate theswitch arm 1 to complete the motor circuit. The motor circuit may betraced from line L through one of the fuses 12 and knife switch 11, byconductor 7 4 through switch arm 1, resistances R, R and R by conductor75 through the winding of switch 9, by conductors 7 6 and 77 through themotor armature A to conduc tor 7 3 and thence to line L. The circuit ofthe motor field winding extends from switch 1 by conductors 78, 79 and80 to line 73. Hence closure of switch 1 completes both the armature andfield circuits of the motor, thereby starting the motor with all of theresistances R, R and R in circuit. After the closure of switch 1, theremaining switches 2, 3 and 4 are closed in progression by the solenoid5 in the manner above described and when so operated successivelyshort-circuit the resistance sections R, R and R When the switch 4closes it opens the switch 7, thereby preventing further response of thesolenoid 5. The winding of switch 9 being included in series with themotor armature will respond upon an abnormal surge of current throughthe motor armature to open said switch 9. \Vhen this occurs theresistance R is inserted in series with the winding of the operatingsolenoid 5, thereby checking further response of said solenoid andconsequently arresting the progressive operation of the switches untilnormal current conditions are restored and the switch 9 returns toclosed position. The switch in closing short-circuits the operatingwinding of relay switch 9 by completing a circuit directly fromconductor 74 by conductor 81 through said switch, by conductor 92 toconductor 77. e r

The retaining magnet for the switch 1 is connected between conductors 9and 70 through a suitable resistance R, and accordingly is adapted torelease the switch 1 either upon an abnormal drop in voltage on thelines or by the opening of control switch 68.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1.. In combination, a plurality of switch levers, individual operatingmembers for said levers and a common supporting shaft for said leversand said members, said members being movable together to operate saidswitches progressively upon successive operation thereof through thesame range of movement.

2. In combination, a plurality of switch levers, a common operatingmember therefor, connections between said levers and said member foreffecting progressive operation of the former upon successive operationof the latter through the same range of movement and individual latchingdevices for said levers each to be tripped by another of said leverswhen released.

3. In combination, a plurality of switch levers, operating meanstherefor and individual latching devices for said levers, certain ofsaid levers upon operation thereof adjusting an adjacent lever withrespect to said operating means and upon release tripping the latchingdevice of an adjacent lever.

4. In combination, a plurality of pivoted switches, a common operatingmember therefor normally disconnected from all but one of the same, aconnection between each adjacent pair of switches whereby one upon fulloperation will set the other in an operative relation with respect tosaid operat ing member, and independent latching devices for saidswitches, the latching device of each switch being tripped by anadjacent switch in opening.

5. In combination, a plurality of switch members, a common supportingspindle therefor, said members being loosely mounted upon said spindle,and means for progressively connecting said members to said spindle uponsuccessive oscillations of the latter.

6. In combination, a plurality of switch members, a common supportingspindle therefor, said members being loosely mounted upon said spindle,means for progressively connecting said members to said spindle uponsuccessive oscillations of the latter, and retaining means for saidswitch members, said means upon the return movement of one of saidswitch members releasing all of the remaining switch members.

7. In combination, a plurality of switch members, oscillating operatingmeans therefor including a plurality of pawls adapted to lock with saidswitch members but all but one of said pawls being normally out oflocking relation with their respective switch members, and connectionsbetween said members whereby each upon full operation sets anothermember in a position to be engaged by its pawl upon a subsequentoscillation of said operating means.

8. In combination, a plurality of switch members, oscillating operatingmeans therefor including a plurality of pawls adapted to lock with saidswitch members but all but one of said pawls being normally out oflocking relation with their respective switch members, connectionsbetween said members whereby each upon full operation sets anothermember in a position to be engaged by its pawl upon a subsequentoscillation of said operating means, and separate latching devices forsaid switch members, each of said devices being tripped to release itsrespective member upon the release of another member.

9. In combination, a plurality of switch levers having engaging partswhereby each upon full movement imparts a partial movement to anotherand an oscillating member having a plurality of pawls to engage andoperate said switch members progressively.

10. In combination, a plurality of pivoted switch members havingengaging parts whereby each upon full movement imparts a partialmovement to another, and a common operating member therefor adapted uponsuccessive operations to engage and operate said members progressively,said operating member having a plurality of pawls, certain of the samebeing normally out of engagement with their respective switch membersand being adapted to engage the same only after the setting of each byanother switch member.

11. In combination, a plurality of switch levers, a common supportingshaft therefor, said levers being freely rotatable thereon, a pluralityof releasable connections between said spindle and said levers and aplurality of separate latches for said switch levers, certain of saidlevers having cooperating parts whereby each upon full operation impartsa partial operation to another and upon release trips the latchingdevice of another.

12. In combination, a spindle, a plurality of switch levers looselymounted thereon, a plurality of devices fixed to said spindle to engagesaid levers, all but one of said devices being normally out of operativerelation with their respective switch levers, lost motion connectionsbetween each lever and an adjacent lever whereby each upon fulloperation moves its adjacent lever into a position to be engaged by itscorresponding operating device upon a subsequent oscillation of saidspindle.

13. In combination, a spindle, a plurality of switch levers looselymounted thereon, a plurality of devices fixed to said spindle to engagesaid levers, all but one of said devices being normally out of operativerelation with their respective switch levers, lost motion connectionsbetween each lever and an adjacent lever whereby each upon fulloperation moves its adjacent lever into a position to be engaged by itscorresponding operating device upon a subsequent oscillation of saidspindle, said devices comprising arms fixed to said spindle and pawls onsaid arms to engage said levers, certain of said pawls upon return ofsaid spindle to normal position being out of the path of theirrespective switch levers.

14. In combination, a spindle, a plurality of switch levers looselymounted thereon, separate latching means for certain of said levers,each of said latches being tripped to release its respective lever uponrelease of another lever, connections between said le vers whereby eachupon full operation moves an adjacent lever to a limited degree, and aplurality of devices fixed to said spindle each adapted to operativelyconnect one of said levers to said spindle but only after the former hasbeen moved to said limited degree by another lever.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presenceof two witnesses.

PAUL H. ZIMMER.

Witnesses FRANK H. HUBBARD, LEONARD A. WATSON.

copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. G.

